The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) is to end its nine-year at-sea replenishment mission in support of NATO's Operation 'Enduring Freedom' in Afghanistan on 15 January. The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), which took the reins of government following a general election in August, has stated that it will not renew the Replenishment Support Special Measures Law that allowed the JMSDF to deploy tankers and escort ships to the Indian Ocean to refuel allied warships[.]
They're turning their back on the "good" war, of all things!
Obviously, President Obama did not cause this. On the other hand, the president didn't charm the Japanese as our "first Pacific president" into continuing a mission begun under the dread unilateralist Bush.
Sometimes (I mean, a lot of times), stuff just happens for reasons other than our actions or inactions.
